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What
are noroviruses?
Noroviruses
are a group of viruses that cause the “stomach flu,” or gastroenteritis
(GAS-tro-en-ter-I-tis), in people. The term norovirus was recently approved
as the official name for this group of viruses. Several other names have
been used for noroviruses, including:
- Norwalk-like
viruses (NLVs)
- caliciviruses
(because they belong to the virus family Caliciviridae)
- small
round structured viruses.
Viruses
are very different from bacteria and parasites, some of which can cause
illnesses similar to norovirus infection. Like all viral infections, noroviruses
are not affected by treatment with antibiotics, and cannot grow outside
of a person’s body.
What
are the symptoms of illness caused by noroviruses?
The symptoms
of norovirus illness usually include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and some
stomach cramping. Sometimes people additionally have a low-grade fever,
chills, headache, muscle aches, and a general sense of tiredness. The
illness often begins suddenly, and the infected person may feel very sick.
In most people the illness is self-limiting with symptoms lasting for
about 1 or 2 days. In general, children experience more vomiting than
adults.
What
is the name of the illness caused by noroviruses?
Illness
caused by norovirus infection has several names, including:
- stomach
flu – this “stomach flu” is not
related to the flu (or influenza), which is a respiratory illness caused
by influenza virus.
- viral
gastroenteritis – the most common name for illness caused by norovirus.
Gastroenteritis refers to an inflammation of the stomach and intestines.
- acute
gastroenteritis
- non-bacterial
gastroenteritis
- food
poisoning (although there are other causes of food poisoning)
- calicivirus
infection
How
serious is norovirus disease?
People may feel very sick and vomit many times a day, but most people get better within 1 or 2 days, and they have no long-term health effects related to their illness. However, sometimes people are unable to drink enough liquids to replace the liquids they lost because of vomiting and diarrhea. These persons can become dehydrated (loose too much water from their body) and may need special medical attention. During norovirus infection, this problem with dehydration is usually only seen among the very young, the elderly, and people with other illness. (For more information see Is there a treatment for norovirus infection?)
How
do people become infected with noroviruses?
Noroviruses
are found in the stool or vomit of infected people. People can become
infected with the virus in several ways, including:
- eating
food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus;
- touching
surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus, and then placing their
hand in their mouth;
- having
direct contact with another person who is infected and showing symptoms
(for example, when caring for someone with illness, or sharing foods
or eating utensils with someone who is ill).
Persons
working in day-care centers or nursing homes should pay special attention
to children or residents who have norovirus illness. This virus is very
contagious and can spread rapidly throughout such environments.
When
do symptoms appear?
Symptoms
of norovirus illness usually begin about 24 to 48 hours after ingestion
of the virus, but they can appear as early as 12 hours after exposure.
Are
noroviruses contagious?
Noroviruses
are very contagious and can spread easily from person to person. Both
stool and vomit are infectious. Particular care should be taken with young
children in diapers who may have diarrhea.How
long are people contagious?
People infected
with norovirus are contagious from the moment they begin feeling ill to
at least 3 days after recovery. Some people may be contagious for as long
as 2 weeks after recovery. Therefore, it is particularly important for
people to use good handwashing and other hygienic practices after they
have recently recovered from norovirus illness.
Who
gets norovirus infection?
Anyone can
become infected with these viruses. There are many different strains of
norovirus, which makes it difficult for a person’s body to develop
long-lasting immunity. Therefore, norovirus illness can recur throughout
a person’s lifetime. In addition, because of differences in genetic
factors, some people are more likely to become infected and develop more
severe illness than others.
Is there a treatment for norovirus infection?
There is no vaccine to prevent norovirus infection. And there is no drug to treat people who are infected with the virus. Antibiotic drugs will not help if you have norovirus infection. This is because they fight against bacteria not viruses.
Norovirus illness is usually brief in people who are otherwise healthy. But, the infection can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea. This can lead to dehydration (loss of too much water from the body). During norovirus infection, young children, the elderly, and people with other illnesses are most at risk for dehydration. Symptoms of dehydration in adults and children include a decrease in urination, a dry mouth and throat, and feeling dizzy when standing up. A dehydrated child may also cry with few or no tears and be unusually sleepy or fussy.
Dehydration can lead to other serious problems. And severe dehydration may require hospitalization for treatment with intravenous (IV) fluids. Thus it is important to prevent dehydration during norovirus illness. The best way to protect against dehydration is to drink plenty of liquids. The most helpful fluids for this purpose are oral rehydration fluids (ORF)*. Other drinks that do not contain caffeine or alcohol can also help with mild dehydration. However, these drinks may not replace important nutrients and minerals lost due to vomiting and diarrhea.
Severe dehydration can be serious. If you think you or someone you are caring for is severely dehydrated, contact your healthcare provider.
*Several products with ingredients similar to those in ORFs can be used to prevent or treat mild dehydration. These products—called oral rehydration solutions—are sold as pre-mixed fluids. Following is a list of some oral rehydration solutions commonly available in U.S. food and drug stores: Infalyte, Kao Lectrolyte, Naturalyte, Oralyte, and Pedialyte. If you are unsure about which product to use or how to use these pre-mixed fluids, contact your healthcare provider.
Can
norovirus infections be prevented?
You can
decrease your chance of coming in contact with noroviruses by following
these preventive steps:
- Frequently
wash your hands, especially after toilet visits and changing diapers
and before eating or preparing food.
- Carefully
wash fruits and vegetables, and steam oysters before eating them.
- Thoroughly
clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces immediately after an episode
of illness by using a bleach-based household cleaner.
- Immediately
remove and wash clothing or linens that may be contaminated with virus
after an episode of illness (use hot water and soap).
- Flush
or discard any vomitus and/or stool in the toilet and make sure that
the surrounding area is kept clean.
Persons
who are infected with norovirus should not prepare food while they have
symptoms and for 3 days after they recover from their illness (see food
handler information sheet). Food that may have been contaminated by
an ill person should be disposed of properly.
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This page last modified on February 9, 2009
Content on this
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